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Monday, July 01, 2013

Islamists Ban Immodest Clothing In Another Syrian Neighbourhood

Extremists in rebel-held areas of Aleppo, Syria, are continuing to exert their power. According to residents of Farduous neighbourhood, immodest clothing or makeup for women will no longer be allowed. That will go for non-Muslims as well.

And we're about to send these rebels aid. Where does the Free Syria Army (FSA) stand on all these changes?

Not a good thing.

"Muslim women are banned from leaving the house in immodest dress, in tight clothing that shows off their bodies or wearing makeup on their face," the statement said. "It is incumbent on all our sisters to obey God and commit to Islamic etiquette".Hardline Islamist groups have increasingly taken the lead in the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad's rule. Many units, some of which are linked to al Qaeda, have stretched their influence beyond the battleground and established police and administrative councils in some rebel-held areas.But these groups' ascendance is stirring resentment among many Syrians, who are increasingly reporting incidents of Islamist councils silencing or even attacking groups with different views.

The Farduous council has a Facebook page, and- as expected- there are some who support the ban, others who condemned it, and still others claiming Assad supporters are spreading rumours about the ban. Bottom line, there is no way to tell exactly what is going on in Syria.